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The triple IPA had a good IPA flavor profile; hoppy and floral with some depth. Relatively low carbonation and thin body were minuses. But on the plus side, a fantastic passion fruit aroma, and it's super drinkable. Oh, and as I realized after a few sips, it packs a punch at 10% ABV...

Additional tasting notes from the brewery:

This aggressively hopped Triple IPA is surprisingly smooth! Aromas of pineapple and grapefruit marmalade notes tantalize the nose of this medium bodied Triple IPA. Pine essence and floral bitterness hit the palate right away while orange rind and malt evidence lingers on the tongue.

Sierra Nevada's Summerfest lager. First time I've had this one I think. Maybe. Possibly. Anyway, it's okay. Probably the least interesting Nevada I've tried. I mean, I've had mixed opinions of their beers thus far--some are overrated, some are very good--but while this one is very drinkable (summer beer on a warm autumn night) it's not hardly inspiring. But whatever. It's pleasant. That'll do, pig. That'll do.

Went on a bit of an American kick, actually. Decided I'd try Sam Adams. Grabbed a pilsner and ... something else. Will report back.

James Squire releases a special every year-ish and this year's--although maybe it's a 2013 special and escaped my attention these past twelve months--is a 'copper ale'/traditionan English ale. I like it. A lot. I'm fond of most of the Squire range and I reckon it's the pick of them. Hope it's one of the rare specials that they add to the regular line-up.

Going through the backlog. I thought I would start with beer for a change.

First things first, the superb Matilda from Goose Island, a Belgian pale ale (that Hassouni mentioned earlier). It has stone fruit, citrus, spice, some sourness, and a dry finish. It feels light and crisp, but has so much interesting flavors that it's gone in no time. My favorite butcher shop has it in stock these days, which makes me very happy (it does not take much).

Since you are in Europe, have you had a chance to explore Belgian beers? I imagine that a Belgian farmhouse ale would be something you may like. Try Saison Dupont for example. It's leagues above Fat Tire and has a little bit of that coriander flavor that you are looking for. As you may know, Fat Tire was inspired by Belgian beers, so you may as well go with the original!

Since you are in Europe, have you had a chance to explore Belgian beers? I imagine that a Belgian farmhouse ale would be something you may like. Try Saison Dupont for example. It's leagues above Fat Tire and has a little bit of that coriander flavor that you are looking for. As you may know, Fat Tire was inspired by Belgian beers, so you may as well go with the original!

I've tried quite a few different Belgian beers, and indeed found very nice ones. The New Belgian tripple was, if I remember correctly supposed to resemble Chimay. To my surprize, I prefer the copy over the original (though, I'd never say 'no' to a glass of Chimay either!!). I also love the Rochefort beers (both the 8 and the 10). I've never tried Saison Dupont, but will be on the lookout for it after your recommendation.

There is only a small number of beers that fall into that category. The International Trappist Association recognizes the following from Belgium: Achel, Chimay, Orval, Rochefort, Westmalle, and Westvleteren. Engelszell was entered into the category in 2012. And the first American trappist beer with Spencer from St. Joseph's Abbey was just launched earlier this year.

Back to Gregorius. It is very dark, almost black in the glass, and has little carbonation. The taste is slightly acidic with quite a bit of malt. Overall the flavor is quite flat. A disappointment.

- Sam Adams Boston Lager. Very drinkable but still interesting. Really like this beer.

- Doss Blockos Pale Lager. Interesting label. Citrusy. Workable.

- Taj Mahal Premium Lager Beer. Least favourite of the various Indian beers I've had. It's for that metallic hop profile that reminds me of Leffe. This one isn't my favourite thing in the world. But it's Thursday night on the last week of the school term. And it's beer. So maybe that's enough.

Really like this one: Doss Blockos Rare Pilsner. There's some hipster shite--this beer's from Brunswick--on the label about this being rare. Bearded fixed gear bicycles aside, though, it's a great drop. Will have to pick up more.

Firestone Union Jack IPA. I had a disconcerting experience with this one. I had it with Thai food that was not very spicy (chicken larb), but I could not taste the nuances of the beer. But I tried more on its own and it really grew on me. It's floral (I detected rose) with some honey notes, plus the typical grapefruit-pine of West Coast IPAs. The finish is bitter and dry and overall the flavor is actually super interesting. I ended up buying more at Trader Joe's.

Last night I had Saison de Lente from the Bruery with dinner (chicken with caramelized shallots). It's a great spring saison that's available before Easter. I am stocking up before it disappears again. The price went down to $10 which is a good thing.

Single Take Session Ale. Kind of funky label on this one. All the writing, bar the 'Single Take Session Ale' and some stuff about apv and whoever imported this beer into Australia, is in Japanese. No idea what it says. Good beer, though. Nails simple without being ever being boring.

Another Baird. Rising Sun Pale Ale. Again I really like it. Like their Session Ale they've managed to make an approachable beer that isn't forgettable. Shame it's quite expensive--a case would be unreasonably priced.

EDIT

And now InBranata. This smells weird. Fruity. Like ... mango. Tropical fruit. Taste retains some of that fruitiness but isn't as intense, and has much less of a tail, than you'd expect based on the nose. It's okay.

Bridge Road Brewers Celtic Red Ale. By about half way through the bottle this one had grown on me a whole lot.

Wicked Elf Witbier. I basically love wheat beers by default--and really malty beers, too--so this one was winner from the outset. Maybe not as good as Murray's Whale Ale, my favourite Australian wheat beer, but still bloody good.

Another local. The awkwardly-branded Vale/Lgr New/World/Lager/////. Really. Five forward slashes in a row. They're not fooling around. It's a serviceable lager. The most interesting aspect is the finish. Has a sort of ... breakfast cereal-ish quality to it. Like a spoonful of dry Rice Bubbles.

Welcome! La Fin du Monde is superb, and TJ's house beer is pretty damn good, especially for the price; the Dunkelweizen is no exception!

As for me, Sunday night was several Red Stripes following a bunch of cocktails. The friend hosting me in NY knows my weakness for everything Jamaican, including their beer, and got a 6 pack for his apartment. I still say it's the best cheap, "international lager" out there.

Yesterday was a spirits tasting followed by $2 draft Hite, then more cocktails, then Weihenstephaner Hefeweisse, interspersed with a few more cocktails, then at my request for a cheap beer from my friend, a PBR.....which after all that other booze isn't so bad.

Another James Squire special. Hop Thief American Pale Ale. What's maybe kind of interesting is each batch of this beer--and this is batch six--supposedly showcases a different variety of hop. Good luck finding a bottle-o that stocks more than one batch, tho'. I think it's a really good easy drinking beer. A good intro to shower beering, too, if you're yet to partake.

Another James Squire special. Hop Thief American Pale Ale. What's maybe kind of interesting is each batch of this beer--and this is batch six--supposedly showcases a different variety of hop. Good luck finding a bottle-o that stocks more than one batch, tho'. I think it's a really good easy drinking beer. A good intro to shower beering, too, if you're yet to partake.

That sounds odd to me. I mean, when I think of an American Pale Ale (interesting that that has become a distinct style here - is it considered one in the US these days?) Anyway, it seems to me that this is pretty much defined by Cascade hop flavour/aroma or perhaps a very close relative of Cascade. I mean if you put Hallertau or Goldings hops in, it wouldn't be much of an American Pale Ale IMO.

Thanks for the background on this Hassouni. I am a little behind with my Buzzfeed reading apparently.

I mean, when I think of an American Pale Ale (interesting that that has become a distinct style here - is it considered one in the US these days?)

Yes, American Pale Ale (APA) is considered a distinct style in the US, and it's a popular one (see list here). Recent examples I've had - Stone Pale Ale of course, Green Flash 30th street pale ale, Publican by Societe.